Benzinga | Jul 12, 2021 08:37AM EDT

Enochian Stock Is Trading Higher On FDA Acceptance of Pre-IND Request For Hepatitis B Program

* Enochian BioSciences Inc (NASDAQ:ENOB) has announced that the FDA has accepted a Pre-IND (Investigational New Drug) request for a potential cure of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

* Written comments are expected this Fall.

* The Pre-IND request was made based on promising data from a proof-of-concept study conducted in chimeric mice, considered by some scientific experts to be the 'gold standard' animal model to evaluate HBV cure, the company said in the press release.

* Hepatitis B program is based on a mechanism of action called Hijack RNA that shows promise as a potential platform technology for coronaviruses (including the cause of COVID-19), influenza, and HBV, and are exploring its use against HIV.

* Last month, the company acquired an exclusive license for a technology to potentially treat and prevent all variants of coronavirus, including the cause of COVID-19, as well as influenza.

* Price Action: ENOB shares are up 7.2% at $5.64 during the premarket session on the last check Monday.

* Related content: Benzinga's Full FDA Calendar.